Boutros Boutros Ghali

Boutros Boutros Ghali

A hero to not only Egypt, but to the whole world – Boutros Boutros Ghali. A man full of ambition and dreams – Boutros Boutros Ghali. A leader arrived with wisdom and fairness – Boutros Boutros Ghali. And an unrecognized Egyptian, who became to be the secretary of the United Nations – Boutros Boutros Ghali. This is the story of a man who started out as a mere child, then a teacher, to a prime minister of foreign affairs, and finally, to be the first Arab and first African secretary general for the U.N, with intelligent decisions that affected the whole world.

“The secret of my success is that I have always been able to fly another day”, says Mr. Boutros Boutros Ghali. Throughout all of his life, Boutros Boutros Ghali was a person who was grateful for life, and he made the best out of everyday, what he liked to call his “secret of success”. Born into a Coptic Christian family on November 14, 1922, Boutros became as son of Egypt and Africa. He grew to love his country, and wanted to make it better as much as he could. He had strong opinions against the United States, especially President Clinton, and was unsure about the current Egyptian president and his actions, Anwar Al-Sadat. He dreamed of becoming a lawyer when he grew up. Often, Ghali was described as an arrogant man, but seriously committed. In his early years, he was given many nicknames – “Bo Bo” carried on all the way to when he was a secretary general. Boutros went through many meetings to do with human rights, international law, economic and social development, and other organizations including more development and ideas for the Middle East, and equal rights. He went through many jobs and interests – a jurist, a teacher in Cairo University, a scholar, a diplomat, an author, a prime minister, and a secretary general. His effect on the UN was immediate – he liked them, and they liked him.

A hero to one man, to one community, to one nation – or to one world? Boutros Boutros Ghali was all. He was a courageous leader to the United Nations. Also, he was an example to Egypt, a way to represent the country. Many people around the world respected him as the secretary general. Ghali accomplished many things. He strengthened the United Nation’s “peacekeeping” role, worked to solve problems between Angola and Somalia, and began the United Nations Transition Authority in Cambodia to cease the war. By helping Angola and Somalia, this helped bring less violence in that region during the time, and up till today these countries have little conflict. By putting a system in Cambodia, the country was stabilized and was under control. Even as an author, he wrote many books about government, religion, opinion and more that influenced many. For his work, Mr. Boutros Boutros Ghali has received awards and honors from twenty-four countries. He tried to run again for two terms, however the United States went against the idea, and having veto power, Boutros Boutros Ghali served for United Nations from only 1992-1997. He was then succeeded my Kofi Annan.

Taking after his grandfather, a national hero, Boutros Boutros Ghali represented three cultures – Africa, the Middle East, and the whole world through the UN. He now is part of those three cultures, a man mentioned in his time up till today. He represents Egypt, and showed the world how an unknown person can achieve such a high goal. He acted in many peacekeeping ways, and when Boutros stepped down from being the head of the United Nations, he left it in a better state than before. Also, this man set a record, to be the first Arab-African in such an important position. He gave all of Africa, the Middle East, and especially Egypt a new reputation, and these nations looked up to him for help. Saving many countries from chaos and crisis, and starting organization after organization, Boutros Boutros Ghali worked hard for his position, as a hero should.

A true hero now? Definitely. To rise up and be recognized, and become the first Arab and African UN secretary general? No matter what religion, or color, or ethnic group, this has brought all of Africa and the Middle East to respect Boutros Boutros Ghali. His actions as a leader have showed the world he is committed and wise. The leader of the world’s largest organization is no easy job – yet this man managed it, and excelled at it too. He brought many countries to peace, and gave the UN, Africa, and the Middle East a different and better view to the world. A cultural hero to Egypt, and for many others. He had a vision of world development and equal human rights. Working hard through out his career, he accomplished many parts of his vision. And up till today, Boutros Boutros Ghali, former United Nations secretary general, still tries to fulfill his dream.